Mini Review Monday: 4/2

Hey guys! It’s been awhile since I’ve posted mini reviews, and I feel like now is the perfect time to throw a few in. I’ve decided to help keep me on track for my yearly goals, I’ll be taking a few of my NetGalley arcs and sequels to long running series and using the mini review format. This usually works best for books I’ve read that are a 3 star or less rating, as I usually don’t have as much to say about these and don’t like to ramble on about the negative, only the positives. Hopefully these brief snippets will help you decide if the following books are for you; just because I was or wasn’t crazy about a book does not mean you’ll feel the same! ❤

Daniel Abend is a psychoanalyst and single parent living in New York City, with a successful practice and a comfortable life: an apartment on the Upper West Side, a beautiful teenage daughter, and an untroubled daily routine. When one of his young patients commits suicide, it is a tragedy, but one easily explained by her depression and drug addiction.

But shortly after, Daniel receives an ominous note that makes him question the patient’s death. A few days later, his daughter abruptly disappears. A series of letters from an unknown sender ensnares Daniel in an increasingly desperate search for his daughter and for the truth–a search that stretches back decades, to when he was a young man living in Paris, falling in love with a woman who would upend his life. With lyrical prose and masterful plotting, The Waters & The Wild is a sophisticated and surprising literary mystery about passion, betrayal, and redemption.

This was a beautifully written novel containing equal parts emotion and suspense, and I can definitely see readers who enjoy literary fiction on the darker side gobbling this up. If you’re in the mood for a slow burn, this is truly a breathtaking, poetic story. While I did find myself struggling through a few passages, mainly due to that slow, SLOW burn, overall this was a truly positive reading experience. Told in a unique format, The Waters & The Wild was a tale exuding themes of lust, love, betrayal, and forgiveness.

London, 1888. As colorful and unfettered as the butterflies she collects, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell can’t resist the allure of an exotic mystery—particularly one involving her enigmatic colleague, Stoker. His former expedition partner has vanished from an archaeological dig with a priceless diadem unearthed from the newly discovered tomb of an Egyptian princess. This disappearance is just the latest in a string of unfortunate events that have plagued the controversial expedition, and rumors abound that the curse of the vengeful princess has been unleashed as the shadowy figure of Anubis himself stalks the streets of London.But the perils of an ancient curse are not the only challenges Veronica must face as sordid details and malevolent enemies emerge from Stoker’s past. Caught in a tangle of conspiracies and threats—and thrust into the public eye by an enterprising new foe—Veronica must separate facts from fantasy to unravel a web of duplicity that threatens to cost Stoker everything. . . .

Finally! If you’re a fan of Veronica and Stoker but haven’t read the latest installment surrounding their adventures yet, you’ll be pleased to hear this was a nearly perfect read. Without spoiling the plot, we have officially come full circle back to Stoker’s past and many secrets from the previous two novels are revealed in the third. I found my emotional attachment to our main characters deepened through this adventure, as there was much more emotion and characterization here. Don’t despair dear reader-there is still plenty of action and a fully fleshed out mystery that kept me guessing until the big reveal, so pacing and intrigue are not sacrificed here. Highly recommended, and I hope you find A Treacherous Curse as exciting, uplifting, and curious as I did! Note- new readers should begin with book one, A Curious Beginning, as these installments to build on each other and there will be spoilers along the way otherwise.

When five hyper-successful women agree to appear on a reality series set in New York City called Goal Diggers, the producers never expect the season will end in murder…

Brett’s the fan favorite. Tattooed and only twenty-seven, the meteoric success of her spin studio—and her recent engagement to her girlfriend—has made her the object of jealousy and vitriol from her castmates.

Kelly, Brett’s older sister and business partner, is the most recent recruit, dismissed as a hanger-on by veteran cast. The golden child growing up, she defers to Brett now—a role which requires her to protect their shocking secret.

Stephanie, the first black cast member and the oldest, is a successful bestselling author of erotic novels. There have long been whispers about her hot, non-working actor-husband and his wandering eye, but this season the focus is on the rift that has opened between her and Brett, former best friends—and resentment soon breeds contempt.

And Jen, made rich and famous through her cultishly popular vegan food line plays a holistic hippie for the cameras, but is perhaps the most ruthless of them all when the cameras are off.

Sadly, I have tried reading this book on two separate occasions now, and during this second attempt have only managed to make it a measly 10% in over a period of almost one week. One of my goals this year was not to push through books I’m not enjoying (as it never seems to result in a productive review for the author or publisher), so I’d rather stop here and state that it just wasn’t for me. I would, however, encourage you to check out the positive reviews on Goodreads, as these readers have highlighted aspects that you may find interesting and will help you decide if this book is right for YOU. I wish the author, publisher, and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers. ❤

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Published by The Suspense Is Thrilling Me

Chelsea is a happily married mother of two who's love of mysteries can be traced back to her first Nancy Drew experience. When not reading and writing book reviews, she likes to drink wine in her jammies and pretend that she exercises.
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I was looking forward to The Favorite Sister but I also ended up dnfing it. I really liked the first chapter than I just couldn’t get into it. I do wanna check out the Veronica Speedwell series. I love the covers a lot. I can’t wait to check it out.